CAMPBELL COUNTY, Va. – Bags and boxes full of toys poured into Gleaning For The World’s warehouse in Campbell County to honor Steve Bryant.
Bryant spent 19 years driving trucks for the nonprofit, delivering donated goods to those in need -- including toys to children.
“He was able to provide them with something that he knew would bring joy to their face,” said Mark O’Brien, the nonprofit’s operations manager.
O’Brien worked with Bryant for 18 years.
“We lost Steve almost five months ago to a motorcycle accident,” said O’Brien through his emotions.
O’Brien says Bryant was on his way to work that morning when it happened. The investigation is ongoing.
“It’s left us with a hole and it’s a tough hole to come out of, experiencing a loss like that,” said O’Brien.
To try and fill that void, the nonprofit packed a special shipment of toys through their Teddy Bear Brigade, a program where gently used, donated toys are repaired and sent to children facing poverty or natural disasters.
We’re told in lieu of flowers, Bryant’s family asked people to donate to Gleaning, which they used to buy new toys.
The organization shipped more than 25,000 toys Tuesday. Bryant’s family was too distraught to be interviewed for this report but was there to help load the truck.
And they installed a plaque on Bryant’s office to show he’s gone but not forgotten.
“Gleaning For The World wouldn’t be what it is without him and having that plaque on his door is just the best thing we can do to honor his memory,” said Teresa Davis, the organization’s spokesperson who worked with Bryant for three years.
It’s a memory still impacting children with help from new toys.